"Spain, SA backed Africa coup plot"

Spain and South Africa both "gave the green light" for a failed coup in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, a British mercenary has told a court in Malabo. Simon Mann said it felt as though the coup attempt was an official operation. "Spain, SA backed Africa coup plot" He also said that Sir Mark Thatcher, son of UK former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was one of the plot's organizers. But Mann said London-based millionaire Eli Calil was "the boss". He and Sir Mark have both denied plotting a coup. Sir Mark was fined in 2005 and received a suspended sentence in South Africa for unknowingly helping to finance it. But Mann said Sir Mark was part of the "management team... not just an investor". He was speaking on the second day of his trial, in which Equatorial Guinea prosecutors have called for him to serve 30 years in jail. Mann, an ex-SAS officer, was arrested four years ago with 64 others in Zimbabwe. He served four years in prison there for trying to purchase weapons without a license before being extradited to Equatorial Guinea earlier this year. Equatorial Guinea, an oil-rich former Spanish colony, has been ruled by President Teodoro Obiang since he seized power from his uncle in 1979. His government has been accused of widespread human rights abuses and of ruthlessly suppressing political opposition. Transparency International has put the tiny nation on its list of top 10 corrupt states.

"Spain, SA backed Africa coup plot"

He also said that Sir Mark Thatcher, son of UK former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was one of the plot's organizers.

But Mann said London-based millionaire Eli Calil was "the boss". He and Sir Mark have both denied plotting a coup.

Sir Mark was fined in 2005 and received a suspended sentence in South Africa for unknowingly helping to finance it.

But Mann said Sir Mark was part of the "management team... not just an investor".

He was speaking on the second day of his trial, in which Equatorial Guinea prosecutors have called for him to serve 30 years in jail.

Mann, an ex-SAS officer, was arrested four years ago with 64 others in Zimbabwe.

He served four years in prison there for trying to purchase weapons without a license before being extradited to Equatorial Guinea earlier this year.

Equatorial Guinea, an oil-rich former Spanish colony, has been ruled by President Teodoro Obiang since he seized power from his uncle in 1979.

His government has been accused of widespread human rights abuses and of ruthlessly suppressing political opposition.

Transparency International has put the tiny nation on its list of top 10 corrupt states.